Music Theory Secrets of "Let It Be" - Analysis

"Let It Be" achieves its enduring, comforting, and quasi-religious feel through simple yet masterful choices in harmony and melody. The key "secrets" that make this song a harmonic masterpiece are:

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1. The Comforting Harmony: Plagal Cadence (4 to 1)

The song is built in the key of C Major, primarily using the common 1-5-6-4 progression ($\text{C-G-Am-F}$). Its emotional heart lies in the Plagal Cadence (the F to C or 4 to 1 chord change) found repeatedly in the chorus.

• Function: Known as the "Amen" cadence, this movement provides a gentle, conclusive feeling of peace and resolution, perfectly supporting the lyric "Let it be." This is the core element that gives the song its quasi-religious, hymn-like atmosphere.

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2. The Sophisticated Foundation: Melodic Bass Line

The song features a dual-bass function that creates textural depth:

• Piano (Paul McCartney): Provides the steady, rhythmic root notes on the beat, anchoring the harmony.

• Electric Bass (George Harrison/Paul McCartney Overdub): Plays a highly melodic counter-melody filled with stepwise motion (moving up or down by one note).

• The Walkdown: In the interlude, the bass uses a smooth, descending line (e.g., F-E-D-C), which is critical for making the harmony sound flowing and sophisticated, rather than static.

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3. The Optimistic Solo: Major Pentatonic Scale

George Harrison’s guitar solo is highly melodic and perfectly aligned with the song's positive message due to his choice of scale:

• C Major Pentatonic: Harrison avoids harmonic tension by using this scale (C D E G A), which is inherently optimistic, soaring, and pure (a "pop/gospel" sound).

• Contrast: This choice deliberately rejects the C Minor Pentatonic scale (the Eb note), which would have created harmonic friction and a tense, gritty, "bluesy" sound, betraying the song's theme of peaceful acceptance.

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What Beatles song do you think has the most hidden musical secrets? Share your thoughts below!

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